My Favorite Movies

Best film ever made.

I heard of this film one month before its release due to screening the trailer and I was immediately taken by what I'd seen in those 2:20. This film played for a total of seven months which is definitely impressive due to its limited release and subject matter. I honestly didn't think this film would do well at all. It only made $11.5 million in North American box office but at the time I thought it should have made at least over $100 million. Now that I think about it, there's no way that would ever happen no matter how great a film is because every movie that opens at number one appeals to a large demographic. Anyway I saw this film many times in the theater when it expanded after four months it was released. Back then, I cried immensely during every watch. I never even knew that this had taken place (not many people did), so therefore I just became obsessed with it because it had affected me very deeply. I even went and did research on these characters and what had actually taken place. I know that some of the names, characters and events that had taken place wasn't exactly showcased in this film and that's fine because if you want the documentary, go watch "The Brandon Teena Story". I myself couldn't get through that whole documentary because it was just upsetting to watch some of those narrow-minded people being interviewed. When it comes to this film, it plays out more like a tragic romance which works on many levels. If the filmmakers wanted to make this exactly like the way it really was, it wouldn't have worked as the tragic love story that it is. First and foremost, I really connected with Teena Brandon (Hilary Swank) because of the charm and the innocence that she projected and the loneliness she felt. Sure she was a criminal lost in this world with no future but the way she presented herself made me connect with her in some way because she looked so baby-faced which many people say about me and just the way she carried herself most times is what I identified with. I related to her isolation and her longing to be accepted and loved. It absolutely just resonates with me. Her relationship with Lana Tisdel (Chloe Sevigny) is played to absolute perfection and they're one of the best on-screen couples of all time. At the time, I could almost see why Teena was so entranced with characters such as John Lotter (Peter Sarsgaard) and Tom Nissen (Brendan Sexton III) because during the first half of the film, they represented this rebel kind of lifestyle, which obviously Teena was immediately drawn to but then by the second half of the film, their sociopath personalities begin to unravel much more. The main characters in this film are certainly very much multi-faceted. I really appreciate that they weren't depicted as stock character's. Now when I watch it, especially the way they show how Lana's mother lived makes me think that I wouldn't want to be in a situation like that. Of the many things I find compelling about this film is that during most of the first hour and twenty minutes, it is such a deeply moving personal character study of the main characters and that this film really gave me an in-depth look into their personal lives and how they connected with each other and how they developed their closeness with each another so wonderfully without being judgmental or preachy that their friendship's become so real which is one of the reason's why the final half hour of the film becomes so devastating. Anyway I understand that this film is easily misunderstood but at the same time, it isn't meant for popular consumption. There is never enough good things I can say about this film. I could go on and on about this film along with what I know had taken place but I'm only allowed a certain amount of words so therefore I've tried keeping it brief. This is the second best film of all time right up there behind "Brokeback Mountain".

The best musical motion picture I've ever seen. All the songs are absolutely fantastic. Wonderfully engaging characters and story.

One of the greatest films of all time. Truly moving beautiful love story and the sinking of the doomed leviathan is absolutely breathtaking.

A wonderful film from Gaspar Noe. Philippe Nahon delivers one of the best on-screen performances in the history of cinema. Not to be missed, but then again I also understand that this film is not for everyone.

Excellent film. Very intense and visceral. Gaspar Noe is a very talented filmmaker and storyteller. Although this is truly a nightmarish, scary, and shocking film, at the heart of this film is a very beautiful love story wonderfully executed. Well done.

The best Martin Scorsese film. He'll never top it.

Wonderfully glossy black and white film set in beautiful Paris, France. This film is absolutely beautiful and uplifting. Should never be Americanized.

Wonderful film that showcases Antony Sher's overlooked talent. Both he and Jason Flemyng share great on-screen chemistry.

Good big screen experience. Plus I love the way it's shot on digital video. Danny Boyle is one of the best filmmaker's around. He continues to impress me.